The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-01
MINOR MENTION.

man il rated Mt a very low value by his white
brethren-is, indeed, not worth going to any
trouble about This fact, often proved, has
again been demonstrated in the case of Patter-
son. one OF the men charged with the murderous
assault upon Jennie Bowman. At latest ac-
counts Patterson had not been hanged by the
mob but il was not through any action OF the
police who had him in cus.ody that he escaped
On the contrary, these guardians Of the people
are responsible for the riotous feeling OF the
crowd in having encouraged the idea that there
was no doubt of the guilt of the accused. All
statements made by Patterson as TO his where
abouts on that day had been examined, they
declared, and bis claims to alibi found unwar-
ranted. This. it has beer discovered, I'M
true; they really made investigation what
ever and, as il now turns out, would have been
responsible for the lynchinG Of innocent
man had the mob carried out its purpose on
Friday night Patterson, it seems, was driver
OF a coal cart, and claimed that at the hour of
the assault he was delivering coal in another
part of the city. The truth of this
story could easily have been ascertained
by inquiry Of the coal dealer and reference to
hisbooks, out this trouble was not taken. Pat
terson was ''nigger," and to go out OF their
way'for so little matter the saving of his
life was not regarded by these guardians of the
Louisville public peace part Of their duty.
The story, however, came to the ears of two
porters Of the Commercial. and at 3 o'clock they
went to the residence of the coal dealers book
keeper routed him out OF bed, and told him the
life of the accused depended upon establishing
nm libithrough his testimony. The book keeper
went with the reporters to the Office. examined
the books and tickets. and found that they bore
out Patterson's assertions. The mob was at that
a.
had they not been turned away unexpectedly,
would havs torn him limit tom limb. 1t
narrow escape; but he was only niger" and
what would his death matter to the heightened
community in which he had trusted himselfl
SECRETARY WHITNEY has withdrawn his at
tention from naval affairs and the excitements
of the paper hunt to confront a serious
problem of another nature. A young woman in
Mr. Whitney's department Of the government
service recently indscreet enough to take
unto herself husband and to announce that
fact to the Secretary 1t was not. however, her
intention to withdraw from the service. but to
continue there ia her old capacity. Now, young
women in the departments frequently do DEFY
governments red tape by marrying and after
wards remaining in their clerical positions; but
each one so doing says as little as possible
and welfare of the government that such
things should be. The young matrons waive
their dignity TO extent and do not
urge that their be changed the
rolls; in fact, anxious that this
should not be DONE since confusion and dis
ruption Of national affairs might result The girl
in the Navy Department. however. forgot about
this was willfully reckless in making known
her marriage to the Secretary. Had she said
nothing the offense might have been winked ct.
but having been officially announced something
has TO be done. and it is keeping the Secretary
awake nights to decide whatit shall be- Being mar
ried the young woman cannot sign a voucher for
ner pay with her maiden name; not being on the
rolls under her present name this signature will
not suffice. To change the names on the rolls
would be an unheard-o of affair; there is prece-
dent for such course, and to establish might
upset the entire system Of civil-service. reforms
and all The only easy way out of the guam
dairy seems to be by the dismissal of the woman.
and this will probably be done. It Is great
country, and under the Whitney administra-
tion growing greater every day.
DAILY paper just started in New York
thinks it sees infinite room for a paper that
will tell us more about the hundreds and thou
sands of husbands and wives who live happily
together and less of the divorces of married
couples who act like fools and raise the devil;
m ore of the millions OF Christian people who
are consistent with their profession, and less of
the few scoundrels who lay their hypocrisies
between the chalices of the communion table,
There is for such paper, undoubt-
edly-rag mills will give it storage at any
time; there is also in the hospital
for it's reporters who go pry;ug into
the affairs of the hundreds and thousands of
respectable people with intent to publish their
discoveries. The editor of this proposed moral
organ will presently discover that, while il may
not be quite true that happy people have no his
tories, those histories make very tame reading
and the public will not pay its money for them.
1t may also be remarked that the readers whose
morals undermined by reading of the mis-
haps and misdeeds of frail humanity not the
people who will read or be benefited by the
sheet which prints nothing that would bring a
blush to the cheek of young person.
THE Boston Herald calls attention to a |
habit which is not confined to any locality, but |
which ought not to prevail anywhere. 1t SAYS: /
"What a vile habit that is which one sees in |
dulged in on street by people who certainly |
ought to know better. That Of putting coins in
the mouth is the one referred to. 1t is quite |
common among women, "no' unuer sucn cir
cumstauees. never seem to have quite hands
enough, and they press their mouths into
service 20 do what is not only n vulgar thing,
but absolutely filthy. The nickel taken from
the purse may have recently left hand I'M
washed since it fondled a child dying with
diphtheria other infectious disease. Or it
may have come from the hand of a man suffer
ing from the most loathsome of disorders
Nickles circulate rapidly, and pass through all
sorts of hands. "'Twas miDe tits his. and has
been slave of thousands The mouth is the
last place where it should be put:
IT is said with pain but it must be said, that
the Indianapolis ladies given to gum
chewing At the Ball Park, last week. in the
grand stand, when the excitement was highest,